Gilbert Brown crowned 2012 Costa Rica National Surfing champion

The Caribbean surfer Gilbert Brown has been crowned the 2012 Costa Rica National Surfing champion.

Brown secured his third title in front of 6000 surfing enthusiasts, at Playa Hermosa. The Gran Final Reef saw two-meter waves pumping the hearts of the finalists.

Anthony Fillingim, Noe Mar McGonagle and Anthony Segura tried to stop Gilbert Brown's domination, but the rider from Puerto Viejo de Limón sealed an high heat total to leave his opponents behind.

"When I won my first national championship, I felt amazing. It was something that marked my life, but today the reality is different. We have so many young talents in the country that it really surprises me what I have achieved. Beating Anthony, Noe Mar and Anthony Segura is serious stuff, so victory tastes very good", said Gilbert.

With this victory, Gilbert Brown returned to a national championship victory, after nearly four years without reaching the golden spot. The Caribbean won his first Costa Rica National Surfing in 2004, followed by another one in 2008.

Interestingly, the Gran Final Reef was his only victory of the current season, despite reaching the podium four times. In the Women's division, Nataly Bernold has also claimed her third national surfing title, despite finishing runner-up in this event. Leilani McGonagle is the 2012 vice-champion.